Hudson, MA vs Salem, MA

Hudson is moderately more affordable than Salem, with a 11.1% lower cost of living index. Hudson scores 119 compared to 134 for Salem, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Salem can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hudson is $1,417/month compared to $1,800/month in Salem — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hudson is more affordable at $457,400 median vs $497,400.

Median household income in Hudson is $96,149 compared to $85,137 in Salem (+12.9%). Hudson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hudson spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 25.4% in Salem.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.9°F vs 49.9°F). Salem receives more rainfall at 44.9" per year compared to 43.4" in Hudson.